Object class: Directly struck idiophones / Year collected: [Missing] / Materials: Leather - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Object class Directly struck idiophones Year collected [Missing] Materials Leather

Hearst Museum object titled Broken ghanta bell, accession number 9-21903a,b, described as This is an old ghanta bell with a handle of gilded bronze. The bell is made of a five metal alloy to produce a rich, full sound. The bell is badly cracked and the upper part of the bell, below where the handle joins, is completely broken. The striker shows a pattern of wear associated with many years of constant use.The ghanta bell is used in most Tantric rituals. It is held in the left hand and the matched vajra is held in the right. The matching vajra to this ghanta is not present in the collection. It would match upper part of the ghanta handle. The ghanta embodies the feminine principle in Tantric usage, and the vajra is the masculine. The ghanta holds the principle of ultimate wisdom and the vajra, the principle of ultimate compassion and skillful means.Ghanta bells in this collection are numbers: T-23; T-63; T-66; T-67; & T-85

Hearst Museum object titled Cymbal, accession number 9-22069, described as T-206 & T-207 are one set of rolmo cymbals, also known as "bhookh." Together with regular cymbals (flat rather than hat-shaped) and long horns (gDung Chen--T-143 and T-144) they are played for ceremonial occasions at Tibetan monasteries, typically accompanied by bass drums. The hollow, hat-shape of these cymbals gives them the deep, stentorian sound valued in Tibetan sacred music. The rolmo cymbals are held horizontally, using the leather thongs, the upper one moved up and down to produce sound.

Hearst Museum object titled Gong and beater, accession number 9-13586a-c, described as gong and beater. A) gong:tray-like long,brass-plated copper;rim diam. 70 cm; B) wood stand from which gong is suspended;black-painted wood, ht.91.5 cm; C) beater:wood w/leather-covered tip (insect damaged), l. 37 cm.